Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looks set for a Celtic return, with TEAMtalk journalist Graeme Bailey claiming the midfielder has agreed a new deal with the Scottish champions.
Bailey posted: “Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has agreed a new deal with Scottish champions Celtic, @TEAMtalk understands.
“The 32-year-old had interest back in the Premier League, as well as in Europe and MLS, but he has been persuaded to stay in Glasgow by Martin O’Neill.”
It is a significant update on a player whose future had been unclear since the end of last season. Oxlade-Chamberlain’s short-term deal expired after Celtic’s dramatic double-winning campaign, and there had been no official confirmation from the club over whether they would trigger another agreement.
Now, if Bailey’s information is correct, Martin O’Neill has got his way.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s first spell at Celtic was not straightforward, but it was certainly not forgettable. He arrived with a big name, a big CV and obvious questions over sharpness, having gone a long spell without regular football before landing in Glasgow.
Yet he still managed to leave an imprint.
His stoppage-time winner against Livingston on his debut was a massive moment in the title race. He also came up with another important goal against St Mirren, while his penalty in the Scottish Cup shootout at Ibrox added another useful contribution in a season that ended with Celtic lifting both major domestic trophies.
The issue was never really about ability.
When fit and moving well, Oxlade-Chamberlain clearly offered Celtic something different. He could carry the ball, drive through midfield and bring a level of experience that few players in Scotland can match.
The concern was availability.
There were times last season when his fitness appeared to catch up with him. He was not always able to sustain the kind of intensity Celtic need from their midfielders, especially in a team that was already being stretched physically and mentally during a chaotic run-in.
That is where this new deal becomes interesting.
A full pre-season under O’Neill could make a real difference. Oxlade-Chamberlain arrived midway through the campaign last time, effectively trying to build rhythm while Celtic were fighting for every point. This summer gives him a chance to properly condition himself, understand O’Neill’s demands and arrive at the start line rather than midway through the race.
Celtic need reinforcements regardless.
This cannot be viewed as the answer to the whole midfield picture. The club have a huge month ahead, and with influential players like Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels potentially moving on, Celtic are not simply adding to a settled squad. It feels closer to a full overhaul.
That means Oxlade-Chamberlain returning should be seen as one piece of the puzzle, not the headline solution.
His experience could be valuable. His versatility could be useful. His relationship with O’Neill clearly matters. But Celtic still need legs, pace, durability and fresh quality across the park if they are serious about building from a season that ended in silverware but exposed plenty of cracks along the way.
If Oxlade-Chamberlain can stay fit, this could prove a smart bit of business.
If not, Celtic will be leaning again on reputation and past moments rather than what they need every week.
Either way, O’Neill appears to have backed his man.
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2 responses
Welcome back Ox, but out of Saracchi, Iheanacho & the Ox, imo, the Ox is the one we could have let go.
Saracchi & Iheanacho should have been signed up already, hopefully Celtic pull the finger out and get them back on board asap.
no chance of Saracchi or iheanacho being signed , and most definitely will they pay anything in transfer fees, Desmond and his malignant cabal of corporate greed and austerity fc have the season ticket holders money ,and now have carte blanch to do what they want which is zilch. Stop giving them your money or you are complicit in the destruction of our club